EP2079001A2 - Power supply controlling apparatus and program - Google Patents
Power supply controlling apparatus and program Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2079001A2 EP2079001A2 EP20090150198 EP09150198A EP2079001A2 EP 2079001 A2 EP2079001 A2 EP 2079001A2 EP 20090150198 EP20090150198 EP 20090150198 EP 09150198 A EP09150198 A EP 09150198A EP 2079001 A2 EP2079001 A2 EP 2079001A2
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- controlled device
- power supply
- controlling apparatus
- control unit
- consumption current
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/266—Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/28—Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a power supply controlling apparatus and a program which controls power supply to a controlled device.
- a power supply controlling apparatus which, when a distributed computer does not normally operate though an AC power supply of the distributed computer has been turned on, can specify the cause of abnormality (the abnormality of a DC power supply, the abnormality of an AC power supply, the abnormality of communication, and so on).
- the power supply controlling apparatus includes:
- the power supply controlling apparatus of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-63378 is limited to the usage of monitoring the distributed computer, and the controlled device becomes always the distributed computer. Therefore, the power supply controlling apparatus does not have general versatility. Although the AC power supply and the DC power supply may enter an ON state, an OFF state, a start-up state, and a stand-by state, the power supply controlling apparatus of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-63378 only detects abnormality of the AC power supply and the DC power supply. Therefore, the power supply controlling apparatus cannot accurately detect these states as described above.
- a power supply controlling apparatus including: a control portion that measure a consumption current value of a current supplied to a controlled device, and controls on/off of the current supplied to the controlled device; a communication portion that transmits a given command to the controlled device, and receives a response to the given command; and a monitor portion that monitors a state of the controlled device based on the consumption current value of the controlled device measured by the control portion, and a life or death state of the controlled device by the given command.
- the controlled device is monitored by a double method, so that the state of the controlled device can be monitored accurately.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of a system including a power supply controlling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the system in Fig. 1 includes a power supply controlling apparatus 1, an external power supply 3, an external terminal 5, and controlled devices 6 to 9.
- the power supply controlling apparatus 1 includes: a control unit 11 (a monitor portion) that controls the entire power supply controlling apparatus 1; a storage unit 12 (a storage portion) that stores various programs, table data, and so on; a communication unit 13 (a communication portion) that communicates with the external terminal 5 or the controlled devices 6 to 9; ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 (control portions) that measure currents supplied from ports 14a to 17a to the controlled devices 6 to 9, and controls the on/off of the currents supplied to the controlled devices 6 to 9, respectively; and a timer 18 that counts up the current date and time.
- the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 includes ports 14a to 17a (connection portions), and the ports 14a to 17a are connected to the controlled devices 6 to 9 via power supply lines, respectively.
- the timer 18 is connected to the control unit 11, and notifies the control unit 11 of information of the current date and time.
- the communication unit 13 is connected to the external terminal 5 and the controlled devices 6 to 9 via the network 4 by wire or wireless.
- the communication unit 13 transmits ping commands to the controlled devices 6 to 9 by ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), and receives responses of the ping commands. Also, the communication unit 13 transmits the states (including an ON state, an OFF state, a start-up state, a stand-by state, and a failure state) of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlled devices 6 to 9 to the external terminal 5 with an electronic mail, or the like.
- ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol
- the external terminal 5 is composed of a computer, a mobile phone, or the like.
- the controlled devices 6 to 9 are devices that operate by the current, such as computers, monitors, printers, facsimile machines, or scanners, and any other devices that operate by the current may be used as the controlled devices 6 to 9.
- the single external power supply 3 is connected to the control unit 11 and the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17, supplies the current to the controlled devices 6 to 9 via the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17, and supplies the current to other components via the control unit 11.
- a numeral in each quadrangular dashed line indicates a setting number assigned to each port, and a numeral in each circle indicates a port number.
- numbers "1" to "4" are set to the ports 14a to 17a in order, as shown in Fig. 1 .
- the setting number, the port number, and condition data of each port are stored into the storage unit 12 as a table data.
- Fig. 2A shows an example of the table data including the setting number, the port number, and the condition data.
- the condition data represents data which provides a condition deciding execution or cancellation of the current supply.
- the condition data includes data in which the current supply from the port where the controlled device which has requested the power supply last is connected is turned off when the current supplied to the ports 14a to 17a exceeds 15A in total, data in which the current supply from the port 14a is turned off at 11:00PM-7:00AM, data in which the controlled devices 6 to 9 become the stand-by state or no stand-by state, or the like.
- the user can change the setting number and the condition data manually via the external terminal 5, and the control unit 11 can change or edit the setting number and the condition data by an automatic process. Further, the control unit 11 can change or edit the setting number and the condition data by notification from the controlled devices 6 to 9 via the network 4 and , the communication unit 13. For example, when the controlled devices 8 and 9 are reset to connect the controlled devices 9 and 8 to the ports 16a and 17a (port numbers "3" and "4"), respectively, the control unit 11 changes the setting number corresponding to the port number "3" from "3" to "4", and the condition data from "c” to "d", as shown in Fig. 2B .
- control unit 11 changes the setting number corresponding to the port number "4" from “4" to "3", and the condition data from "d” to "c” (see Fig. 2C ).
- the control unit 11 changes the condition data (i.e., changes the condition data from "c” to “d") so as to maintain a relationship between the setting number and the condition data.
- the control unit 11 changes the setting number (i.e., changes the setting number from "3" to "4") so as to maintain a relationship between the setting number and the condition data.
- the port numbers corresponding to the setting numbers may be interchanged from the state of Fig. 2A .
- the control unit 11 reads out at least one of the setting number and the condition data stored into the storage medium 21, and edits the contents of the table data stored into the storage medium 21, i.e., interchanges or rewrites at least one of the setting number and the condition data in the table data.
- Fig. 4A shows an example in which the condition data in the table data is rewritten by the condition data stored into the storage media 21, Fig.
- FIG. 4B shows an example in which two sets of the setting number and the condition data are interchanged according to the condition data stored into the storage media 21
- Fig. 4C shows an example in which two sets of the setting number and the condition data are interchanged according to the setting number stored into the storage media 21.
- the storage medium 21 storing at least one of the setting number and the condition data
- the two sets of the setting number and the condition data in the table data are interchanged or at least one of the setting number and the condition data in the table data is rewritten, and hence it is possible to control the controlled devices 6 to 9 based on the proper condition data.
- the storage medium 21 is composed of a USB memory and so on, for example, and is connectable to any of the ports 14a to 17a. Also, the storage medium 21 may be incorporated into a power supply cable that connects between the port 14a and the controller 6, for example. In this case, a communication line is contained in the power supply cable so that the control unit 11 can access the storage medium 21.
- Fig. 5A is a diagram showing a consumption current in each of off/stand-by/on states of the controlled device 6 when the controlled device 6 is a monitor
- Fig. 5B is a diagram showing a consumption current in each of off/stand-by/on states of the controlled device 6 when the controlled device 6 is a computer
- Fig. 5C is a diagram showing a total value of the consumption currents of the controlled devices 6 to 9. It should be noted that, in Figs. 5A and 5B , the controlled device 6 is used as a representative of the controlled devices.
- a maximum value of the currents which the power supply controlling apparatus 1 can supply to the controlled devices 6 to 9 is 15A, as shown in Figs. 5A to 5C , for example.
- the consumption current of the monitor is 0A when the power supply of the monitor is in the off state.
- the stand-by state indicates that a main power supply of the monitor is in the on state, and a power supply button of a remote control is in the off state.
- the consumption current of the monitor is 0.01A to 0.03A.
- the main power supply of the monitor and the power supply button of the remote control are the on states, but video data is not displayed on the monitor, the consumption current of the monitor is 2A to 2.5A.
- the main power supply of the monitor and the power supply button of the remote control are the on states, and video data is displayed on the monitor, the consumption current of the monitor is 3.5A to 4A.
- the main power supply of the monitor and the power supply button of the remote control are the on states, and the video data should be displayed on the monitor, when the consumption current of the monitor is lower than 3.5A and higher than 2.5A, the control unit 11 determines that a video output source is malfunction or a display unit of the monitor is malfunction.
- the consumption current of the computer is 0A when the power supply of the computer is in the off state.
- the consumption current of the computer in the stand-by state is 0.2A to 0.5A.
- the consumption current is 3.5A to 4A when the computer starts up, and the consumption current is 2A to 3.5A when the computer stably operates (normal time).
- the control unit 11 determines that the computer is malfunction.
- the above-mentioned values of the consumption current are examples.
- the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 measure the values of the consumption currents of the controlled devices 6 to 9, and the control unit 11 stores these values into the storage unit 12.
- the controlled devices 6 to 9 are monitors that normally operate, for example.
- a maximum value of the consumption current of one monitor is 4A, and hence when the currents are supplied to four monitors, an amount of the current supply exceeds 15A as the maximum value of the current supply. Therefore, the control unit 11 controls the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 so as not to supply the current to one monitor based on the condition data, i.e., so as to turn off the current supply corresponding to one monitor based on the condition data.
- a maximum value of the consumption current of one computer on start-up time is 4A.
- the control unit 11 controls the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 so as not to simultaneously supply the currents to the four computers monitor based on the condition data, i.e., so as to delay the timing of the current supply to one to three monitor(s) based on the condition data.
- Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed with the control unit 11 of the power supply controlling apparatus 1. It is assumed that the consumption currents of the controlled devices 6 to 9 are previously measured and the control unit 11 stores the values of the consumption currents into the storage unit 12 before the present process is executed.
- step S1 the control unit 11 executes a self process (step S1).
- the self process represents a process which determines whether the power supply controlling apparatus 1 itself is malfunction. The self process will be described later in detail.
- the port process represents a process which executes failure determination of the controlled devices 6 to 9 based on the currents supplied from the ports 14a to 17a to the controlled devices 6 to 9, respectively, and a process which determines life or death of the controlled devices 6 to 9 according to transmitting ping commands to the controlled devices 6 to 9 and whether or not the responses are received from the controlled devices 6 to 9.
- the port process will be described later in detail.
- control unit 11 executes a user request and automatic process (step S3).
- the user request and automatic process represents a process executed with the control unit 11 based on a request or the condition data from the external terminal 5. The user request and automatic process will be described later in detail.
- steps S1 to S3 are repeatedly executed while the power supply is supplied to the power supply controlling apparatus 1.
- Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the self process in step S 1 of Fig. 6 .
- control unit 11 measures the voltage of the power supply supplied from the external power supply 3, and the consumption current of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 itself (step S5).
- control unit 11 determines whether the power supply controlling apparatus 1 itself is normal (step S6). Specifically, the control unit 11 previously stores consumption current value data supplied to itself, the storage unit 12, the communication unit 13, the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17, and the timer 18, compares the consumption current value data with real consumption current value, and determines whether the power supply controlling apparatus 1 itself is normal.
- step S6 When the answer to the determination of step S6 is "YES”, the process is terminated.
- step S6 When the answer to the determination of step S6 is "NO”, the control unit 11 executes corrective action of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 (step S7). Specifically, the control unit 11 transmits an electronic mail showing the failure or malfunction of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13, as the corrective action of the power supply controlling apparatus 1. Also, when there is a failure alert lamp, not shown, in the power supply controlling apparatus 1, the control unit 11 turns on the failure alert lamp as the corrective action of the power supply controlling apparatus 1.
- Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the port process in step S2 of Fig. 6 .
- the control unit 11 acquires a consumption current value which is output from the port 14a and measured with the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14, and stores the consumption current value into the storage unit 12 (step S11).
- a consumption current value output from the port 15a is stored into the storage unit 12. That is, the consumption current values output from the ports 14a to 17a are sequentially stored into the storage unit 12 by a loop of steps S11 to S20.
- the control unit 11 determines whether the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 turns on the current output from the port 14a (step S12).
- step S12 When the answer to the determination of step S12 is "YES”, the control unit 11 executes a check process when the current output turns on (step S13). When the answer to the determination of step S12 is "NO”, the control unit 11 executes a check process when the current output turns off (step S 14). In the check process when the current output turns on, the control unit 11 checks the consumption current and the state of the controlled device 6, normal/abnormality of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlled device 6, and so on, in a state of turning on the current output from the port 14a. The check process when the current output turns on will be described later in detail.
- the control unit 11 checks normal/abnormality of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlled device 6, and so on, in a state of turning off the current output from the port 14a.
- the check process when the current output turns off will be described later in detail.
- the control unit 11 executes various actions according to the determination result of the check process in step S 13 when the current output turns on, or the check process in step S 14 when the current output turns off (step S 15).
- the determination result of the check process when the current output turns on indicates the procedure of step S24, S25, S27, S30, S32, or S33 in Fig. 9 described later, and the determination result of the check process when the current output turns off indicates the procedure of step S42, S44, or S45 in Fig. 10 described later.
- step S 15 the control unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlled device 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits to the external terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is in an abnormal stand-by state which differs from the contents of the condition data.
- the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S25 in Fig. 9
- step S 15 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is in a normal stand-by state to the external terminal 5, or does nothing.
- the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S27 in Fig.
- step S 15 the control unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlled device 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 does not become the stand-by state to the external terminal 5.
- step S 15 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is in the normal stand-by state to the external terminal 5, or does nothing.
- the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S30 in Fig. 9
- step S15 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13, or turns on the failure alert lamp when there is the failure alert lamp, not shown, in the power supply controlling apparatus 1.
- step S 15 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13.
- step S33 the determination result of the check process
- step S 15 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply cable or the like is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13.
- step S 15 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13, or turns on the failure alert lamp when there is the failure alert lamp, not shown, in the power supply controlling apparatus 1.
- step S 15 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13.
- step S 15 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlled device 6 are normal to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13, or does nothing.
- various actions of step S 15 in Fig. 8 can take various states according to the determination result of the check process when the current output turns on, or the check process when the current output turns off.
- control unit 11 transmits the ping command to the controlled device 6 via the communication unit 13 and the network 4 (step S16), and determines whether a response to the ping command is received from the controlled device 6 (step S 17).
- step S 17 When the answer to the determination of step S 17 is "YES”, the procedure proceeds to step S20.
- the control unit 11 determines whether a number of times of the transmission of the ping command has reached a given number of times (e.g. 5 times) (step S 18).
- the number of times of the transmission of the ping command is set from the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13 and the network 4, and is stored into the storage unit 12 together with the above-mentioned table data, or is stored into the storage medium 21.
- step S 18 When the answer to the determination of step S 18 is "NO”, the procedure returns to step S 16. On the other hand, when the answer to the determination of step S 18 is "YES”, the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is abnormality to the external terminal 5 (step S 19). The procedure proceeds to step S20.
- control unit 11 determines whether the confirmation of all ports has terminated (step S20). When the answer to the determination of step S20 is "YES”, the port process is terminated. When the answer to the determination of step S20 is "NO”, the procedure returns to step S11 to confirm the next port.
- control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the controlled device 6 which is previously stored into the storage unit 12 with the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 in step S11 of Fig. 8 , and determines whether the on state of the current output from the port 14a is correct (step S21).
- step S21 When the answer to the determination of step S21 is "YES", the control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the controlled device 6 which is previously stored into the storage unit 12 with the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 in step S11 of Fig. 8 , and determines whether the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 in step S11 of Fig. 8 is a current consumption value which the controlled device 6 can adopt on the stand-by state (step S22).
- step S22 When it is determined in step S22 that the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 is the current consumption value which the controlled device 6 can adopt in the stand-by state, the control unit 11 determines whether the controlled device 6 is admitted to become the stand-by state based on the condition data of the port 14a (step S23).
- step S23 determines that the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 in step S 11 of Fig. 8 is normal as a current value of the stand-by state (step S25). The procedure proceeds to step S15 in Fig. 8 . In this case, the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is in the normal stand-by state to the external terminal 5, or does nothing.
- step S24 determines that the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 is abnormality (step S24).
- the procedure proceeds to step S 15 in Fig. 8 .
- the control unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlled device 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits to the external terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is in the abnormal stand-by state which differs from the contents of the condition data.
- step S22 When it is determined in step S22 that the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 is not the current consumption value which the controlled device 6 can adopt in the stand-by state, the procedure proceeds to step S26.
- the control unit 11 measures the elapsed time based on time information from the timer 18 after the current supply to the controlled device 6 is turned on, and determines whether the controlled device 6 does not become the stand-by state even if the given time (e.g. one minute) has elapsed (step S26).
- step S27 the control unit 11 determines that the state of the controlled device 6 is abnormality (step S27).
- step S27 the control unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlled device 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits to the external terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 does not become the stand-by state.
- step S26 When the answer to the determination of step S26 is "NO", the controlled device 6 becomes the stand-by state, and hence the control unit 11 determines that the state of the controlled device 6 is normal (step S28). The procedure proceeds to step S 15 in Fig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 of Fig. 8 , the control unit 11 transmits to the external terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is in the normal stand-by state, or does nothing.
- step S21 When the answer to the determination of step S21 is "NO”, the control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 which is previously stored into the storage unit 12 with a real consumption current value, and determines whether the power supply controlling apparatus 1 itself is normal (step S29).
- step S30 determines that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is abnormality (step S30).
- the procedure proceeds to step S 15 in Fig. 8 .
- step S 15 of Fig. 8 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13, or turns on the failure alert lamp when there is the failure alert lamp, not shown, in the power supply controlling apparatus 1.
- step S29 When the answer to the determination of step S29 is "YES", the control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the controlled device 6 which is previously stored into the storage unit 12 with the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 in step S11 of Fig. 8 , and determines whether the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 in step S11 of Fig. 8 is a current consumption value which the controlled device 6 can adopt on the off state (step S31).
- step S31 determines that the controlled device 6 is abnormality (step S32).
- step S32 determines that the controlled device 6 is abnormality.
- the procedure proceeds to step S 15 in Fig. 8 .
- step S 15 of Fig. 8 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13.
- step S33 the control unit 11 determines that the power supply cable or the like connected between the controlled device 6 and the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is abnormality (step S33). The procedure proceeds to step S 15 in Fig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 of Fig. 8 , the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply cable or the like is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13.
- control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 which is previously stored into the storage unit 12 with a real consumption current value, and determines whether the power supply controlling apparatus 1 itself is normal (step S41).
- step S42 determines that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is abnormality.
- step S15 of Fig. 8 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13, or turns on the failure alert lamp when there is the failure alert lamp, not shown, in the power supply controlling apparatus 1.
- step S41 When the answer to the determination of step S41 is "YES", the control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the controlled device 6 which is previously stored into the storage unit 12 with the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 in step S11 of Fig. 8 , and determines whether the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 in step S11 of Fig. 8 is a current consumption value which the controlled device 6 can adopt on the off state (step S43).
- step S44 determines that the controlled device 6 is abnormality (step S44).
- the procedure proceeds to step S15 in Fig. 8 .
- step S15 of Fig. 8 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is failure or malfunction to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13.
- step S45 determines that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlled device 6 are normal (step S45).
- the procedure proceeds to step S 15 in Fig. 8 .
- step S 15 of Fig. 8 the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that that the power supply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlled device 6 are normal to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13, or does nothing.
- the control unit 11 checks the consumption current and the state of the controlled device 6, normal/abnormality of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlled device 6, and so on, the check processes when the current output turns on and off are limited to this.
- the control unit 11 sequentially checks whether the three conditions are satisfied as the check process when the current output turns on.
- the control unit 11 When the condition (1) is "NO” and the conditions (2) and (3) are “OK”, the control unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlled device 6 in order to restart the controlled device 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits to the external terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlled device 6 is in the stand-by state, as the procedure of step S 15 in Fig. 8 .
- the control unit 11 transmits to the external terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the consumption current value of the controlled device 6 is abnormality, as the procedure of step S 15 in Fig. 8 .
- control unit 11 transmits to the external terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that it is prohibited to turn off the current output from the port 14a at 7:00 to 23:00, as the procedure of step S 15 in Fig. 8 .
- Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the user request and automatic process in step S3 of Fig. 6 .
- the present process is explained by using the port 14a and the controlled device 6 as the representative of the ports and the controlled devices, the present process is also executed to the ports 15a to 17a and the controlled devices 7 to 9.
- control unit 11 confirms whether there is a user request from the external terminal 5 or an automatic request from the condition data (step S51). Specifically, the control unit 11 has a queue that accumulates the user request from the external terminal 5 and the automatic request from the condition data, and can confirm whether these requests exist by confirming this queue.
- control unit 11 determines whether there is a request to change the current supply to the controlled device 6 from the port 14a from off to on (step S52).
- step S52 determines whether the current supply to the controlled device 6 can be changed from off to on, based on the condition data (step S53). For example, when the total of the consumption currents does not exceed 5A even if the current supply to the controlled device 6 is changed from off to on, or when it is previously set to turn off the current supply from the port 14a from 11:00PM to 7:00AM, and the present time is 3:00PM, the control unit 11 determines that the current supply to the controlled device 6 can be changed from off to on.
- the control unit 11 determines that the current supply to the controlled device 6 cannot be changed from off to on.
- the control unit 11 determines that the current supply to the controlled device 6 can be changed from off to on. On the other hand, when a single piece of condition data alone is satisfied, the control unit 11 determines that the current supply to the controlled device 6 cannot be changed from off to on.
- step S53 When the answer to the determination of step S53 is "YES", the control unit 11 controls the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 so as to start the current supply to the controlled device 6 from the port 14a (step S54). Thereby, the current supply to the controlled device 6 from the port 14a is started.
- the control unit 11 starts the current supply to the controlled device 6 via the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14, simultaneously samples the consumption current values of the controlled device 6 for a certain period, and stores a peak value as an inrush current value and the consumption current values of the controlled device 6 in the on state and the stand-by state into the storage unit 12 (step S55). The procedure proceeds to step S57. Thereby, the inrush current values when the controlled devices 6 to 9 start up can be measured accurately.
- step S56 the control unit 11 executes an action based on the determination result. For example, the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing a reason in which the current supply to the controlled device 6 cannot be changed from off to on to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13. Also, when the current supply to the controlled device 6 cannot be changed from off to on because of the inrush current, the control unit 11 delays timing in which the current supply to the controlled device 6 is changed from off to on.
- control unit 11 determines whether there is a request to change the current supply to the controlled device 6 from the port 14a from on to off (step S57).
- step S57 determines whether the current supply to the controlled device 6 can be changed from on to off, based on the condition data (step S58).
- step S58 When the answer to the determination of step S58 is "YES", the control unit 11 controls the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14 so as to stop the current supply to the controlled device 6 from the port 14a (step S59). Thereby, the current supply to the controlled device 6 from the port 14a is stopped.
- step S58 When the answer to the determination of step S58 is "NO", the control unit 11 executes an action based on the determination result (step S60). For example, the control unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing a reason in which the current supply to the controlled device 6 cannot be changed from on to off (e.g. it is time now to prohibit turning off the power supply, etc.) to the external terminal 5 via the communication unit 13.
- control unit 11 determines whether there is a request to measure the consumption current value of the controlled device 6 (step S61).
- step S61 When the answer to the determination of step S61 is "YES", the control unit 11 acquires a measurement result of the consumption current of the controlled device 6 from the ampere meter & on/off control unit 14, and stores the measurement result into the storage unit 12 (step S62).
- control unit 11 determines whether all user requests from the external terminal 5 or all automatic requests from the condition data are processed (step S63). Specifically, when the queue included in the control unit 11 has no user requests from the external terminal 5 or no automatic requests from the condition data, the control unit 11 determines that all user requests or all automatic requests are processed. When the answer to the determination of step S63 is "NO”, the procedure returns to step S52. On the there hand, when the answer to the determination of step S63 is "YES", the present process is terminated.
- the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 measure the consumption current values of the currents supplied to the controlled devices 6 to 9, and control on/off of the currents supplied to the controlled devices 6 to 9.
- the communication unit 13 transmits the ping commands to the controlled devices 6 to 9, and receives the responses to the ping commands.
- the control unit 11 monitors the states of the controlled devices 6 to 9 based on the consumption current values of the controlled devices 6 to 9 measured with the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17, and life or death states of the controlled devices 6 to 9 by the ping commands. Therefore, the controlled devices 6 to 9 are monitored by a double method, so that the states of the controlled devices 6 to 9 can be monitored accurately.
- the controlled devices 6 to 9 are a system composed of displays and computers which are provided at a waiting area for leaving the country in the airport, an administrator of the controlled devices 6 to 9 cannot freely go in and out to the waiting area for leaving the country in the airport, so that it is not easy for the administrator to watch the states of the controlled device 6 to 9.
- the controlled devices 6 to 9 are monitored by a double method with the power supply controlling apparatus 1, so that the states of the controlled devices 6 to 9 can be monitored accurately.
- ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 automatically measure the consumption current values of the currents supplied to the controlled devices 6 to 9, the user can eliminate the need for inputting the consumption current values of the controlled devices 6 to 9 to the power supply controlling apparatus 1.
- the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 can accurately measure the inrush current values measured when the controlled devices 6 to 9 start.
- the storage unit 12 stores normal consumption current values of the controlled devices 6 to 9 when the power supply turns on, normal consumption current values of the controlled devices 6 to 9 when the power supply turns off, normal consumption current values of the controlled devices 6 to 9 on the stand-by state, and normal consumption current values of the controlled devices 6 to 9 when the controlled devices 6 to 9 start up.
- the control unit 11 determines the states of the controlled devices 6 to 9 by comparing the consumption current values measured by the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 with the various consumption current values stored into the storage unit 12.
- control unit 11 can determine whether each of the present states of the controlled devices 6 to 9 is any one of a normal state of turning on the power supply, a normal state of turning off the power supply, a normal stand-by state, a normal start-up state, and an abnormal on/off/stand-by/start-up state.
- control unit 11 executes any one of controlling the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 so as to turn on or off the currents supplied to the controlled devices 6 to 9 based on the monitor results of the controlled devices 6 to 9, and controlling the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 so as to restart the controlled devices 6 to 9 based on the monitor results of the controlled devices 6 to 9. Therefore, it is possible to control the controlled devices 6 to 9 based on the monitor results of the controlled devices 6 to 9.
- the communication unit 13 notifies the external terminal 5 of the monitor results of the controlled devices 6 to 9 by the control unit 11, so that it is possible to notify a remote user of the monitor results of the controlled devices 6 to 9.
- the storage unit 12 stores the consumption current value of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 when the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is normal, and the control unit 11 monitors the state of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 itself based on the consumption current value of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 when the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is normal, which is stored into the storage unit 12. Therefore, it is possible to monitor not only the states of the controlled devices 6 to 9 but also the state of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 itself.
- the storage unit 12 stores the setting number (i.e., identification information) associated with each port, and the condition data providing a condition which decides on/off of the current supply and is associated with each port.
- the control unit 11 controls the ampere meters & on/off control units 14 to 17 so as to turn on or off the currents supplied to the controlled devices 6 to 9 based on the condition data, and when the controlled devices 6 to 9 are interchanged and connected to the ports 14a to 17a, the control unit 11 interchanges plural sets of the setting number and the condition data stored into the storage unit 12 depending on the interchange of the controlled devices 6 to 9. Therefore, even when the controlled devices 6 to 9 are interchanged, it is possible to control the controlled devices 6 to 9 based on appropriate condition data.
- the power supply controlling apparatus 1 may be composed of a personal computer (PC).
- a recording medium on which the software program for realizing the functions of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 is recorded may be supplied to the PC, and the CPU in the PC may read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium.
- the recording medium for providing the program may be a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a SD card, for example.
- the CPU in the PC may execute the software program for realizing the functions of the PC. In this manner, the same effects as that of the above-described embodiment can also be achieved.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a power supply controlling apparatus and a program which controls power supply to a controlled device.
- Conventionally, there has been known a power supply controlling apparatus which, when a distributed computer does not normally operate though an AC power supply of the distributed computer has been turned on, can specify the cause of abnormality (the abnormality of a DC power supply, the abnormality of an AC power supply, the abnormality of communication, and so on).
- The power supply controlling apparatus includes:
- an AC power supply control unit that applies the AC power supply to the distributed computer by an instruction of turning on the power supply from a host computer; a DC detection unit that receives a DC voltage value from the distributed computer; a communication control unit that communicates with the distributed computer; a control unit that stores an AC power supply state, a DC power supply state, and a communication state which are notified from the AC power supply control unit, the DC detection unit, and the communication control unit, into a power supply state table; and
- a host communication unit that notifies the host computer of the power supply state table.
- However, the power supply controlling apparatus of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
10-63378 10-63378 - It is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply controlling apparatus and a program which can accurately monitor a state of a controlled device.
- According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply controlling apparatus including: a control portion that measure a consumption current value of a current supplied to a controlled device, and controls on/off of the current supplied to the controlled device; a communication portion that transmits a given command to the controlled device, and receives a response to the given command; and a monitor portion that monitors a state of the controlled device based on the consumption current value of the controlled device measured by the control portion, and a life or death state of the controlled device by the given command.
- With the above arrangement, the controlled device is monitored by a double method, so that the state of the controlled device can be monitored accurately.
- Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, wherein:
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of a system including a power supply controlling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 2A is a diagram showing an example of table data including a setting number, a port number, and condition data; -
Figs. 2B and 2C are diagram showing examples in which the setting numbers and the condition data corresponding to the port numbers "3" and "4" are changed; -
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a state of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 when astorage media 21 is connected to aport 14a; -
Fig. 4A is a diagram showing an example in which the condition data in the table data is rewritten by condition data stored into thestorage media 21; -
Fig. 4B is a diagram showing an example in which two sets of the setting number and the condition data are interchanged according to the condition data stored into thestorage media 21; -
Fig. 4C is a diagram showing an example in which two sets of the setting number and the condition data are interchanged according to the setting number stored into thestorage media 21; -
Fig. 5A is a diagram showing a consumption current in each of off/stand-by/on states of the controlleddevice 6 when the controlleddevice 6 is a monitor; -
Fig. 5B is a diagram showing a consumption current in each of off/stand-by/on states of the controlleddevice 6 when the controlleddevice 6 is a computer; -
Fig. 5C is a diagram showing a total value of the consumption currents of controlleddevices 6 to 9; -
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed with acontrol unit 11 of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1; -
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail a self process instep S 1 ofFig. 6 ; -
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail a port process in step S2 ofFig. 6 ; -
Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a check process when current output turns on; -
Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a check process when current output turns off; and -
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail a user request and automatic process in step S3 ofFig. 6 . - A description will now be given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of an embodiment of the present invention.
-
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of a system including a power supply controlling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. - The system in
Fig. 1 includes a powersupply controlling apparatus 1, anexternal power supply 3, anexternal terminal 5, and controlleddevices 6 to 9. The powersupply controlling apparatus 1 includes: a control unit 11 (a monitor portion) that controls the entire powersupply controlling apparatus 1; a storage unit 12 (a storage portion) that stores various programs, table data, and so on; a communication unit 13 (a communication portion) that communicates with theexternal terminal 5 or the controlleddevices 6 to 9; ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 (control portions) that measure currents supplied fromports 14a to 17a to the controlleddevices 6 to 9, and controls the on/off of the currents supplied to the controlleddevices 6 to 9, respectively; and atimer 18 that counts up the current date and time. The ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 includesports 14a to 17a (connection portions), and theports 14a to 17a are connected to the controlleddevices 6 to 9 via power supply lines, respectively. Thetimer 18 is connected to thecontrol unit 11, and notifies thecontrol unit 11 of information of the current date and time. - The
communication unit 13 is connected to theexternal terminal 5 and the controlleddevices 6 to 9 via thenetwork 4 by wire or wireless. Thecommunication unit 13 transmits ping commands to the controlleddevices 6 to 9 by ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), and receives responses of the ping commands. Also, thecommunication unit 13 transmits the states (including an ON state, an OFF state, a start-up state, a stand-by state, and a failure state) of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlleddevices 6 to 9 to theexternal terminal 5 with an electronic mail, or the like. - The
external terminal 5 is composed of a computer, a mobile phone, or the like. The controlleddevices 6 to 9 are devices that operate by the current, such as computers, monitors, printers, facsimile machines, or scanners, and any other devices that operate by the current may be used as the controlleddevices 6 to 9. - The single
external power supply 3 is connected to thecontrol unit 11 and the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17, supplies the current to the controlleddevices 6 to 9 via the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17, and supplies the current to other components via thecontrol unit 11. - In
Fig. 1 , a numeral in each quadrangular dashed line indicates a setting number assigned to each port, and a numeral in each circle indicates a port number. With respect to initial values of the setting number, numbers "1" to "4" are set to theports 14a to 17a in order, as shown inFig. 1 . The setting number, the port number, and condition data of each port are stored into thestorage unit 12 as a table data.Fig. 2A shows an example of the table data including the setting number, the port number, and the condition data. - The condition data represents data which provides a condition deciding execution or cancellation of the current supply. For example, the condition data includes data in which the current supply from the port where the controlled device which has requested the power supply last is connected is turned off when the current supplied to the
ports 14a to 17a exceeds 15A in total, data in which the current supply from theport 14a is turned off at 11:00PM-7:00AM, data in which the controlleddevices 6 to 9 become the stand-by state or no stand-by state, or the like. - The user can change the setting number and the condition data manually via the
external terminal 5, and thecontrol unit 11 can change or edit the setting number and the condition data by an automatic process. Further, thecontrol unit 11 can change or edit the setting number and the condition data by notification from the controlleddevices 6 to 9 via thenetwork 4 and , thecommunication unit 13. For example, when the controlleddevices 8 and 9 are reset to connect the controlleddevices 9 and 8 to theports control unit 11 changes the setting number corresponding to the port number "3" from "3" to "4", and the condition data from "c" to "d", as shown inFig. 2B . At the same time, thecontrol unit 11 changes the setting number corresponding to the port number "4" from "4" to "3", and the condition data from "d" to "c" (seeFig. 2C ). Thus, even if the controlled device connected to each port is reset, a relationship between each controlled device, and the setting number and the condition data is maintained, so that current control set to each controlled device can be executed accurately. - For example, when only the setting number is changed (i.e., the setting number is changed from "3" to "4"), the
control unit 11 changes the condition data (i.e., changes the condition data from "c" to "d") so as to maintain a relationship between the setting number and the condition data. When only the condition data is changed, thecontrol unit 11 changes the setting number (i.e., changes the setting number from "3" to "4") so as to maintain a relationship between the setting number and the condition data. The port numbers corresponding to the setting numbers may be interchanged from the state ofFig. 2A . - It should be noted that, when the user edits the setting number and the condition data via the
external terminal 5, the relationship between the setting number and the condition data is not maintained. - For example, when the
ports 14a to 17a are provided with terminals for connection of a storage medium (e.g. USB terminals), not shown, if astorage medium 21 which stores at least one of the setting number and the condition data is connected to theport 14a, thecontrol unit 11 reads out at least one of the setting number and the condition data stored into thestorage medium 21, and edits the contents of the table data stored into thestorage medium 21, i.e., interchanges or rewrites at least one of the setting number and the condition data in the table data.Fig. 4A shows an example in which the condition data in the table data is rewritten by the condition data stored into thestorage media 21,Fig. 4B shows an example in which two sets of the setting number and the condition data are interchanged according to the condition data stored into thestorage media 21, andFig. 4C shows an example in which two sets of the setting number and the condition data are interchanged according to the setting number stored into thestorage media 21. It should be noted that, when the setting number and the condition data are rewritten, the setting number and the condition data are previously stored into thestorage medium 21, and when the two sets of the setting number and the condition data are interchanged, at least one of the setting number and the condition data is previously stored into thestorage medium 21. - Thus, by using the
storage medium 21 storing at least one of the setting number and the condition data, the two sets of the setting number and the condition data in the table data are interchanged or at least one of the setting number and the condition data in the table data is rewritten, and hence it is possible to control the controlleddevices 6 to 9 based on the proper condition data. - The
storage medium 21 is composed of a USB memory and so on, for example, and is connectable to any of theports 14a to 17a. Also, thestorage medium 21 may be incorporated into a power supply cable that connects between theport 14a and thecontroller 6, for example. In this case, a communication line is contained in the power supply cable so that thecontrol unit 11 can access thestorage medium 21. -
Fig. 5A is a diagram showing a consumption current in each of off/stand-by/on states of the controlleddevice 6 when the controlleddevice 6 is a monitor,Fig. 5B is a diagram showing a consumption current in each of off/stand-by/on states of the controlleddevice 6 when the controlleddevice 6 is a computer,Fig. 5C is a diagram showing a total value of the consumption currents of the controlleddevices 6 to 9. It should be noted that, inFigs. 5A and 5B , the controlleddevice 6 is used as a representative of the controlled devices. - It is assumed that a maximum value of the currents which the power
supply controlling apparatus 1 can supply to the controlleddevices 6 to 9 is 15A, as shown inFigs. 5A to 5C , for example. - In
Fig. 5A , the consumption current of the monitor is 0A when the power supply of the monitor is in the off state. The stand-by state indicates that a main power supply of the monitor is in the on state, and a power supply button of a remote control is in the off state. In this case, the consumption current of the monitor is 0.01A to 0.03A. When the main power supply of the monitor and the power supply button of the remote control are the on states, but video data is not displayed on the monitor, the consumption current of the monitor is 2A to 2.5A. When the main power supply of the monitor and the power supply button of the remote control are the on states, and video data is displayed on the monitor, the consumption current of the monitor is 3.5A to 4A. - Though the main power supply of the monitor and the power supply button of the remote control are the on states, and the video data should be displayed on the monitor, when the consumption current of the monitor is lower than 3.5A and higher than 2.5A, the
control unit 11 determines that a video output source is malfunction or a display unit of the monitor is malfunction. - In
Fig. 5B , the consumption current of the computer is 0A when the power supply of the computer is in the off state. The consumption current of the computer in the stand-by state is 0.2A to 0.5A. The consumption current is 3.5A to 4A when the computer starts up, and the consumption current is 2A to 3.5A when the computer stably operates (normal time). For example, when the consumption current of the computer is higher than 0.5A and lower than 2A, thecontrol unit 11 determines that the computer is malfunction. - The above-mentioned values of the consumption current are examples. When the power
supply controlling apparatus 1 is really used, the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 measure the values of the consumption currents of the controlleddevices 6 to 9, and thecontrol unit 11 stores these values into thestorage unit 12. - It is assumed that, in
Fig. 5C , the controlleddevices 6 to 9 are monitors that normally operate, for example. In this case, a maximum value of the consumption current of one monitor is 4A, and hence when the currents are supplied to four monitors, an amount of the current supply exceeds 15A as the maximum value of the current supply. Therefore, thecontrol unit 11 controls the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 so as not to supply the current to one monitor based on the condition data, i.e., so as to turn off the current supply corresponding to one monitor based on the condition data. - For example, when the controlled
devices 6 to 9 are the computers, a maximum value of the consumption current of one computer on start-up time is 4A. When the currents are supplied to the four computers, an amount of the current supply exceeds 15A as the maximum value of the current supply. Therefore, thecontrol unit 11 controls the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 so as not to simultaneously supply the currents to the four computers monitor based on the condition data, i.e., so as to delay the timing of the current supply to one to three monitor(s) based on the condition data. -
Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed with thecontrol unit 11 of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1. It is assumed that the consumption currents of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 are previously measured and thecontrol unit 11 stores the values of the consumption currents into thestorage unit 12 before the present process is executed. - First, the
control unit 11 executes a self process (step S1). The self process represents a process which determines whether the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 itself is malfunction. The self process will be described later in detail. - Next, the
control unit 11 executes a port process (step S2). The port process represents a process which executes failure determination of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 based on the currents supplied from theports 14a to 17a to the controlleddevices 6 to 9, respectively, and a process which determines life or death of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 according to transmitting ping commands to the controlleddevices 6 to 9 and whether or not the responses are received from the controlleddevices 6 to 9. The port process will be described later in detail. - Next, the
control unit 11 executes a user request and automatic process (step S3). The user request and automatic process represents a process executed with thecontrol unit 11 based on a request or the condition data from theexternal terminal 5. The user request and automatic process will be described later in detail. - These processes of steps S1 to S3 are repeatedly executed while the power supply is supplied to the power
supply controlling apparatus 1. -
Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the self process instep S 1 ofFig. 6 . - First, the
control unit 11 measures the voltage of the power supply supplied from theexternal power supply 3, and the consumption current of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 itself (step S5). Next, thecontrol unit 11 determines whether the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 itself is normal (step S6). Specifically, thecontrol unit 11 previously stores consumption current value data supplied to itself, thestorage unit 12, thecommunication unit 13, the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17, and thetimer 18, compares the consumption current value data with real consumption current value, and determines whether the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 itself is normal. - When the answer to the determination of step S6 is "YES", the process is terminated. When the answer to the determination of step S6 is "NO", the
control unit 11 executes corrective action of the power supply controlling apparatus 1 (step S7). Specifically, thecontrol unit 11 transmits an electronic mail showing the failure or malfunction of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13, as the corrective action of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1. Also, when there is a failure alert lamp, not shown, in the powersupply controlling apparatus 1, thecontrol unit 11 turns on the failure alert lamp as the corrective action of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1. -
Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the port process in step S2 ofFig. 6 . - First, the
control unit 11 acquires a consumption current value which is output from theport 14a and measured with the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14, and stores the consumption current value into the storage unit 12 (step S11). When the answer to the determination of step S20 described later is "NO", and the procedure of step S11 is executed again, a consumption current value output from theport 15a is stored into thestorage unit 12. That is, the consumption current values output from theports 14a to 17a are sequentially stored into thestorage unit 12 by a loop of steps S11 to S20. Although in the following procedures, a description will now be given of theport 14a as an example, the same procedures are executed by the loop of steps S11 to S20 with respect to theports 15a to 17a. - The
control unit 11 determines whether the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 turns on the current output from theport 14a (step S12). - When the answer to the determination of step S12 is "YES", the
control unit 11 executes a check process when the current output turns on (step S13). When the answer to the determination of step S12 is "NO", thecontrol unit 11 executes a check process when the current output turns off (step S 14). In the check process when the current output turns on, thecontrol unit 11 checks the consumption current and the state of the controlleddevice 6, normal/abnormality of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlleddevice 6, and so on, in a state of turning on the current output from theport 14a. The check process when the current output turns on will be described later in detail. In the check process when the current output turns off, thecontrol unit 11 checks normal/abnormality of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlleddevice 6, and so on, in a state of turning off the current output from theport 14a. The check process when the current output turns off will be described later in detail. - The
control unit 11 executes various actions according to the determination result of the check process in step S 13 when the current output turns on, or the check process in step S 14 when the current output turns off (step S 15). The determination result of the check process when the current output turns on indicates the procedure of step S24, S25, S27, S30, S32, or S33 inFig. 9 described later, and the determination result of the check process when the current output turns off indicates the procedure of step S42, S44, or S45 inFig. 10 described later. - When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S24 in
Fig. 9 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlleddevice 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits to theexternal terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is in an abnormal stand-by state which differs from the contents of the condition data. When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S25 inFig. 9 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is in a normal stand-by state to theexternal terminal 5, or does nothing. When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S27 inFig. 9 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlleddevice 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 does not become the stand-by state to theexternal terminal 5. - When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S28 in
Fig. 9 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is in the normal stand-by state to theexternal terminal 5, or does nothing. When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S30 inFig. 9 , in step S15, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13, or turns on the failure alert lamp when there is the failure alert lamp, not shown, in the powersupply controlling apparatus 1. - When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S32 in
Fig. 9 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13. When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S33 inFig. 9 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply cable or the like is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13. - When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S42 in
Fig. 10 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13, or turns on the failure alert lamp when there is the failure alert lamp, not shown, in the powersupply controlling apparatus 1. - When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S44 in
Fig. 10 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13. - When the determination result of the check process is the procedure of step S45 in
Fig. 10 , instep S 15, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlleddevice 6 are normal to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13, or does nothing. Thus, various actions of step S 15 inFig. 8 can take various states according to the determination result of the check process when the current output turns on, or the check process when the current output turns off. - Next, the
control unit 11 transmits the ping command to the controlleddevice 6 via thecommunication unit 13 and the network 4 (step S16), and determines whether a response to the ping command is received from the controlled device 6 (step S 17). - When the answer to the determination of
step S 17 is "YES", the procedure proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, when the answer to the determination ofstep S 17 is "NO", thecontrol unit 11 determines whether a number of times of the transmission of the ping command has reached a given number of times (e.g. 5 times) (step S 18). The number of times of the transmission of the ping command is set from theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13 and thenetwork 4, and is stored into thestorage unit 12 together with the above-mentioned table data, or is stored into thestorage medium 21. - When the answer to the determination of
step S 18 is "NO", the procedure returns to stepS 16. On the other hand, when the answer to the determination ofstep S 18 is "YES", thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is abnormality to the external terminal 5 (step S 19). The procedure proceeds to step S20. - Finally, the
control unit 11 determines whether the confirmation of all ports has terminated (step S20). When the answer to the determination of step S20 is "YES", the port process is terminated. When the answer to the determination of step S20 is "NO", the procedure returns to step S11 to confirm the next port. - Next, a description will now be given of the check process when the current output turns on, with reference to
Fig. 9 . - First, the
control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the controlleddevice 6 which is previously stored into thestorage unit 12 with the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 in step S11 ofFig. 8 , and determines whether the on state of the current output from theport 14a is correct (step S21). - When the answer to the determination of step S21 is "YES", the
control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the controlleddevice 6 which is previously stored into thestorage unit 12 with the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 in step S11 ofFig. 8 , and determines whether the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 in step S11 ofFig. 8 is a current consumption value which the controlleddevice 6 can adopt on the stand-by state (step S22). - When it is determined in step S22 that the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off
control unit 14 is the current consumption value which the controlleddevice 6 can adopt in the stand-by state, thecontrol unit 11 determines whether the controlleddevice 6 is admitted to become the stand-by state based on the condition data of theport 14a (step S23). - When the answer to the determination of step S23 is "YES", the
control unit 11 determines that the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 in step S 11 ofFig. 8 is normal as a current value of the stand-by state (step S25). The procedure proceeds to step S15 inFig. 8 . In this case, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is in the normal stand-by state to theexternal terminal 5, or does nothing. - When the answer to the determination of step S23 is "NO", the controlled
device 6 is not admitted to become the stand-by state, and hence thecontrol unit 11 determines that the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 is abnormality (step S24). The procedure proceeds to stepS 15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlleddevice 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits to theexternal terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is in the abnormal stand-by state which differs from the contents of the condition data. - When it is determined in step S22 that the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/off
control unit 14 is not the current consumption value which the controlleddevice 6 can adopt in the stand-by state, the procedure proceeds to step S26. When the controlleddevice 6 is admitted to become the stand-by state, and automatically becomes the stand-by state after given time (e.g. one minute) elapses from the beginning of the stability operation, thecontrol unit 11 measures the elapsed time based on time information from thetimer 18 after the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 is turned on, and determines whether the controlleddevice 6 does not become the stand-by state even if the given time (e.g. one minute) has elapsed (step S26). - When the answer to the determination of step S26 is "YES", the controlled
device 6 which should become the stand-by state originally does not become the stand-by state yet, and hence thecontrol unit 11 determines that the state of the controlleddevice 6 is abnormality (step S27). The procedure proceeds to stepS 15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlleddevice 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits to theexternal terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 does not become the stand-by state. - When the answer to the determination of step S26 is "NO", the controlled
device 6 becomes the stand-by state, and hence thecontrol unit 11 determines that the state of the controlleddevice 6 is normal (step S28). The procedure proceeds to stepS 15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 transmits to theexternal terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is in the normal stand-by state, or does nothing. - When the answer to the determination of step S21 is "NO", the
control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 which is previously stored into thestorage unit 12 with a real consumption current value, and determines whether the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 itself is normal (step S29). - When the answer to the determination of step S29 is "NO", the
control unit 11 determines that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is abnormality (step S30). The procedure proceeds to stepS 15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13, or turns on the failure alert lamp when there is the failure alert lamp, not shown, in the powersupply controlling apparatus 1. - When the answer to the determination of step S29 is "YES", the
control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the controlleddevice 6 which is previously stored into thestorage unit 12 with the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 in step S11 ofFig. 8 , and determines whether the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 in step S11 ofFig. 8 is a current consumption value which the controlleddevice 6 can adopt on the off state (step S31). - When the answer to the determination of step S31 is "NO", the
control unit 11 determines that the controlleddevice 6 is abnormality (step S32). The procedure proceeds to stepS 15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13. - When the answer to the determination of step S31 is "YES", the
control unit 11 determines that the power supply cable or the like connected between the controlleddevice 6 and the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is abnormality (step S33). The procedure proceeds to stepS 15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the power supply cable or the like is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13. - Next, a description will now be given of the check process when the current output turns off, with reference to
Fig. 10 . - First, the
control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 which is previously stored into thestorage unit 12 with a real consumption current value, and determines whether the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 itself is normal (step S41). - When the answer to the determination of step S41 is "NO", the
control unit 11 determines that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is abnormality (step S42). The procedure proceeds to step S15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13, or turns on the failure alert lamp when there is the failure alert lamp, not shown, in the powersupply controlling apparatus 1. - When the answer to the determination of step S41 is "YES", the
control unit 11 compares the consumption current value of the controlleddevice 6 which is previously stored into thestorage unit 12 with the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 in step S11 ofFig. 8 , and determines whether the consumption current value acquired from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 in step S11 ofFig. 8 is a current consumption value which the controlleddevice 6 can adopt on the off state (step S43). - When the answer to the determination of step S43 is "NO", the
control unit 11 determines that the controlleddevice 6 is abnormality (step S44). The procedure proceeds to step S15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is failure or malfunction to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13. - When the answer to the determination of step S43 is "YES", the
control unit 11 determines that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlleddevice 6 are normal (step S45). The procedure proceeds to stepS 15 inFig. 8 . In this case, in step S 15 ofFig. 8 , thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing that that the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlleddevice 6 are normal to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13, or does nothing. - Although in the above-mentioned check process in
Fig. 9 when the current output turns on and the above-mentioned check process inFig. 10 when the current output turns off, thecontrol unit 11 checks the consumption current and the state of the controlleddevice 6, normal/abnormality of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 and the controlleddevice 6, and so on, the check processes when the current output turns on and off are limited to this. For example, when three pieces of condition data, i.e., (1) the controlleddevice 6 does not become the stand-by state, (2) in the state of turning on the current output from theport 14a, the current consumption value of the controlleddevice 6 is 3A or more, and (3) the current output from theport 14a is not turned off at 7:00 to 23:00, are registered with thestorage unit 12, thecontrol unit 11 sequentially checks whether the three conditions are satisfied as the check process when the current output turns on. When the condition (1) is "NO" and the conditions (2) and (3) are "OK", thecontrol unit 11 temporarily turns off the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 in order to restart the controlleddevice 6, and controls the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 to turn on the current supply after given time has passed, or transmits to theexternal terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the controlleddevice 6 is in the stand-by state, as the procedure of step S 15 inFig. 8 . When the condition (2) is "NO" and the conditions (1) and (3) are "OK", thecontrol unit 11 transmits to theexternal terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that the consumption current value of the controlleddevice 6 is abnormality, as the procedure of step S 15 inFig. 8 . When the condition (3) is "NO" and the conditions (1) and (2) are "OK", thecontrol unit 11 transmits to theexternal terminal 5 the electronic mail showing that it is prohibited to turn off the current output from theport 14a at 7:00 to 23:00, as the procedure of step S 15 inFig. 8 . -
Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the user request and automatic process in step S3 ofFig. 6 . Although the present process is explained by using theport 14a and the controlleddevice 6 as the representative of the ports and the controlled devices, the present process is also executed to theports 15a to 17a and the controlleddevices 7 to 9. - First, the
control unit 11 confirms whether there is a user request from theexternal terminal 5 or an automatic request from the condition data (step S51). Specifically, thecontrol unit 11 has a queue that accumulates the user request from theexternal terminal 5 and the automatic request from the condition data, and can confirm whether these requests exist by confirming this queue. - Next, the
control unit 11 determines whether there is a request to change the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 from theport 14a from off to on (step S52). - When the answer to the determination of step S52 is "YES", the
control unit 11 determines whether the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 can be changed from off to on, based on the condition data (step S53). For example, when the total of the consumption currents does not exceed 5A even if the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 is changed from off to on, or when it is previously set to turn off the current supply from theport 14a from 11:00PM to 7:00AM, and the present time is 3:00PM, thecontrol unit 11 determines that the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 can be changed from off to on. On the other hand, when the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 is changed from off to on, so that the total of the consumption currents exceeds 5A because of an inrush current, or when it is previously set to turn off the current supply from theport 14a from 11:00PM to 7:00AM, and the present time is 3:00AM, thecontrol unit 11 determines that the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 cannot be changed from off to on. - When there are a plurality of pieces of condition data for the
port 14a, and all pieces of condition data are satisfied, thecontrol unit 11 determines that the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 can be changed from off to on. On the other hand, when a single piece of condition data alone is satisfied, thecontrol unit 11 determines that the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 cannot be changed from off to on. - When the answer to the determination of step S53 is "YES", the
control unit 11 controls the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 so as to start the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 from theport 14a (step S54). Thereby, the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 from theport 14a is started. - The
control unit 11 starts the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 via the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14, simultaneously samples the consumption current values of the controlleddevice 6 for a certain period, and stores a peak value as an inrush current value and the consumption current values of the controlleddevice 6 in the on state and the stand-by state into the storage unit 12 (step S55). The procedure proceeds to step S57. Thereby, the inrush current values when the controlleddevices 6 to 9 start up can be measured accurately. - When the answer to the determination of step S53 is "YES", the
control unit 11 executes an action based on the determination result (step S56). For example, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing a reason in which the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 cannot be changed from off to on to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13. Also, when the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 cannot be changed from off to on because of the inrush current, thecontrol unit 11 delays timing in which the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 is changed from off to on. - Next, the
control unit 11 determines whether there is a request to change the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 from theport 14a from on to off (step S57). - When the answer to the determination of step S57 is "YES", the
control unit 11 determines whether the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 can be changed from on to off, based on the condition data (step S58). - When the answer to the determination of step S58 is "YES", the
control unit 11 controls the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14 so as to stop the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 from theport 14a (step S59). Thereby, the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 from theport 14a is stopped. - When the answer to the determination of step S58 is "NO", the
control unit 11 executes an action based on the determination result (step S60). For example, thecontrol unit 11 transmits the electronic mail showing a reason in which the current supply to the controlleddevice 6 cannot be changed from on to off (e.g. it is time now to prohibit turning off the power supply, etc.) to theexternal terminal 5 via thecommunication unit 13. - Next, the
control unit 11 determines whether there is a request to measure the consumption current value of the controlled device 6 (step S61). - When the answer to the determination of step S61 is "YES", the
control unit 11 acquires a measurement result of the consumption current of the controlleddevice 6 from the ampere meter & on/offcontrol unit 14, and stores the measurement result into the storage unit 12 (step S62). - Finally, the
control unit 11 determines whether all user requests from theexternal terminal 5 or all automatic requests from the condition data are processed (step S63). Specifically, when the queue included in thecontrol unit 11 has no user requests from theexternal terminal 5 or no automatic requests from the condition data, thecontrol unit 11 determines that all user requests or all automatic requests are processed. When the answer to the determination of step S63 is "NO", the procedure returns to step S52. On the there hand, when the answer to the determination of step S63 is "YES", the present process is terminated. - As described hereinabove, according to the present embodiment, the ampere meters & on/off
control units 14 to 17 measure the consumption current values of the currents supplied to the controlleddevices 6 to 9, and control on/off of the currents supplied to the controlleddevices 6 to 9. Thecommunication unit 13 transmits the ping commands to the controlleddevices 6 to 9, and receives the responses to the ping commands. Thecontrol unit 11 monitors the states of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 based on the consumption current values of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 measured with the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17, and life or death states of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 by the ping commands. Therefore, the controlleddevices 6 to 9 are monitored by a double method, so that the states of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 can be monitored accurately. - For example, when the controlled
devices 6 to 9 are a system composed of displays and computers which are provided at a waiting area for leaving the country in the airport, an administrator of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 cannot freely go in and out to the waiting area for leaving the country in the airport, so that it is not easy for the administrator to watch the states of the controlleddevice 6 to 9. In such an environment, the controlleddevices 6 to 9 are monitored by a double method with the powersupply controlling apparatus 1, so that the states of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 can be monitored accurately. - Also, since the ampere meters & on/off
control units 14 to 17 automatically measure the consumption current values of the currents supplied to the controlleddevices 6 to 9, the user can eliminate the need for inputting the consumption current values of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 to the powersupply controlling apparatus 1. In addition, the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 can accurately measure the inrush current values measured when the controlleddevices 6 to 9 start. - Also, the
storage unit 12 stores normal consumption current values of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 when the power supply turns on, normal consumption current values of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 when the power supply turns off, normal consumption current values of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 on the stand-by state, and normal consumption current values of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 when the controlleddevices 6 to 9 start up. Thecontrol unit 11 determines the states of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 by comparing the consumption current values measured by the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 with the various consumption current values stored into thestorage unit 12. Therefore, thecontrol unit 11 can determine whether each of the present states of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 is any one of a normal state of turning on the power supply, a normal state of turning off the power supply, a normal stand-by state, a normal start-up state, and an abnormal on/off/stand-by/start-up state. - Further, the
control unit 11 executes any one of controlling the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 so as to turn on or off the currents supplied to the controlleddevices 6 to 9 based on the monitor results of the controlleddevices 6 to 9, and controlling the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 so as to restart the controlleddevices 6 to 9 based on the monitor results of the controlleddevices 6 to 9. Therefore, it is possible to control the controlleddevices 6 to 9 based on the monitor results of the controlleddevices 6 to 9. - The
communication unit 13 notifies theexternal terminal 5 of the monitor results of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 by thecontrol unit 11, so that it is possible to notify a remote user of the monitor results of the controlleddevices 6 to 9. - Further, the
storage unit 12 stores the consumption current value of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 when the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is normal, and thecontrol unit 11 monitors the state of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 itself based on the consumption current value of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 when the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is normal, which is stored into thestorage unit 12. Therefore, it is possible to monitor not only the states of the controlleddevices 6 to 9 but also the state of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 itself. - The
storage unit 12 stores the setting number (i.e., identification information) associated with each port, and the condition data providing a condition which decides on/off of the current supply and is associated with each port. Thecontrol unit 11 controls the ampere meters & on/offcontrol units 14 to 17 so as to turn on or off the currents supplied to the controlleddevices 6 to 9 based on the condition data, and when the controlleddevices 6 to 9 are interchanged and connected to theports 14a to 17a, thecontrol unit 11 interchanges plural sets of the setting number and the condition data stored into thestorage unit 12 depending on the interchange of the controlleddevices 6 to 9. Therefore, even when the controlleddevices 6 to 9 are interchanged, it is possible to control the controlleddevices 6 to 9 based on appropriate condition data. - The power
supply controlling apparatus 1 may be composed of a personal computer (PC). In this case, a recording medium on which the software program for realizing the functions of the powersupply controlling apparatus 1 is recorded may be supplied to the PC, and the CPU in the PC may read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. In this manner, the same effects as those of the above-described first to fourth embodiments can be achieved. The recording medium for providing the program may be a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a SD card, for example. - The CPU in the PC may execute the software program for realizing the functions of the PC. In this manner, the same effects as that of the above-described embodiment can also be achieved.
- It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications may be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention.
- The Present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.
2008-005012 filed January 11, 2008
Claims (8)
- A power supply controlling apparatus comprising:a control portion that measure a consumption current value of a current supplied to a controlled device, and controls on/off of the current supplied to the controlled device;a communication portion that transmits a given command to the controlled device, and receives a response to the given command; anda monitor portion that monitors a state of the controlled device based on the consumption current value of the controlled device measured by the control portion, and a life or death state of the controlled device by the given command.
- The power supply controlling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a storage portion that stores a normal consumption current value of the controlled device when a power supply turns on, a normal consumption current value of the controlled device when the power supply turns off, a normal consumption current value of the controlled device on a stand-by state, and a normal consumption current value of the controlled device when the controlled device starts up,
wherein the monitor portion determines the state of the controlled device by comparing the consumption current value measured by the control portion with various consumption current values stored into the storage portion. - The power supply controlling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2,
wherein the monitor portion executes any one of controlling the control portion so as to turn on or off the current supplied to the controlled device based on a monitor result of the controlled device, and controlling the control portion so as to restart the controlled device based on the monitor result of the controlled device. - The power supply controlling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication portion notifies an external terminal of the monitor result of the controlled device by the monitor portion.
- The power supply controlling apparatus as claimed in claim 2,
wherein:the storage portion further stores a consumption current value of the power supply controlling apparatus when the power supply controlling apparatus is normal, andthe monitor portion monitors a state of the power supply controlling apparatus itself based on the consumption current value of the power supply controlling apparatus stored into the storage portion. - The power supply controlling apparatus as claimed in claim 2,
wherein:there are a plurality of controlled devices;the power supply controlling apparatus further includes a plurality of connection portions to which the plurality of controlled devices are connected, and a plurality of control portions;the storage portion stores a plurality of pieces of identification information associated with the connection portions, and a plurality of pieces of condition data providing conditions which decide on/off of the current supply by the control portions and are associated with the connection portions;the monitor portion controls the control portions so as to turn on or off the currents supplied to the controlled devices based on the plurality of pieces of condition data; andwhen the controlled devices are interchanged and connected to the connection portions, the monitor portion interchanges plural sets of the setting number and the condition data stored into the storage portion depending on the interchange of the controlled devices. - The power supply controlling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein when an external storage medium storing at least one of the identification information and the condition data is connected to any one of the connection portions, the monitor portion interchanges the plural sets of the identification information and the condition data stored into the storage portion, or rewrites at least one of the identification information and the condition data stored into the storage portion, based on the at least one of the identification information and the condition data stored into the external storage medium.
- A program causing a computer to execute a process, the process comprising:measuring a consumption current value of a current supplied to a controlled device, and controlling on/off of the current supplied to the controlled device;transmitting a given command to the controlled device, and receiving a response to the given command; andmonitoring a state of the controlled device based on the measured consumption current value of the controlled device, and a life or death state of the controlled device by the given command.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2008005012A JP5068186B2 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2008-01-11 | Power supply control device and program |
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EP2079001A3 EP2079001A3 (en) | 2011-11-16 |
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-
2009
- 2009-01-08 EP EP20090150198 patent/EP2079001B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-01-09 CN CN2009100016259A patent/CN101482735B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-01-09 KR KR1020090002056A patent/KR101028620B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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Cited By (1)
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CN107765598A (en) * | 2017-11-16 | 2018-03-06 | 无锡七百二十度科技有限公司 | A kind of duplicate supply energy consumption monitoring system based on Internet of Things |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2009169551A (en) | 2009-07-30 |
EP2079001B1 (en) | 2013-05-08 |
CN101482735A (en) | 2009-07-15 |
EP2079001A3 (en) | 2011-11-16 |
KR20090077724A (en) | 2009-07-15 |
JP5068186B2 (en) | 2012-11-07 |
US8285422B2 (en) | 2012-10-09 |
US20090179490A1 (en) | 2009-07-16 |
KR101028620B1 (en) | 2011-04-11 |
CN101482735B (en) | 2012-04-18 |
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